New Delhi: Hours after Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said that the Centre is not in a position to give 'Special Category status' to Andhra Pradesh but willing to grant a special package, the TDP supremo N Chandrababu announced that his party will pull out of NDA and that of two of its ministers in Modi government will step down.
"Our two Union Ministers Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Y S Chowdary will resign tomorrow (Thursday)," Mr Naidu announced.The big announcement comes within hours, Mr Jaitley said central government is willing to satisfy every condition set or committed before the bifurcation of the Andhra Pradesh, but all that ought to happen within the purview of the Constitution.
Addressing media persons on the demands of Andhra Pradesh, Finance minister clarified that the only variation is that after the 14th Finance Commission report instead of formally calling it a special category state, "we are calling it a special package, which gives same monetary benefits that a special category state gives you"."Political issue cannot increase the funds....Sentiment does not increase the quantum of funds. We have to look at the country as a whole," Mr Jaitley said. BJP leader Amit Malviya said the TDP decision is unfortunate and "unjustified" and insisted that the centra has been funding major developmental projects for the state. (UNI)